Washing device



Nv.3,1942. w B, @RMS l ,2,300,911

WASHING, DEVICE u Filed Feb. 1a, 1941 ll ll lll Il ll Il /l Il II -v vvv vvv- V l Patented Nov. 3, 1942 Appliation February 18, 1941, Serial No. 379,518

6 Claims. l(Cl. 15-128) This invention relates to new and useful improvementsin scrubbing or washing devices, and

more particularly to such devices for use in washingwalls, ceilings and like surfaces in conjunction with a machine of the .general type shown and described, for example, in United States Letters Patent No. 2,003,847.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a scrubbing or washing device of the type described wherein the flow of cleaning fluid to the washing surface may be controlled and regulated at will by the user without interrupting or interfering with a washing operation. Another object of the invention is to provide a novel scrubbing or washing device of the character set forth which is constructed and arranged so as to permit of the quick and easy interchange of scrubbing or cleaning and rinsing members.

Stil1 another object of the invention is to provide a washing device of the type described `having a unitary and composite handle structure vwhich is readily detachable and interchangeable and embodies therein a suitable valve mechanism for controlling the flow of cleaning liquid.

portions 6 and thereby detachably secure the handle structure 2 to the base or plate I of the washing or rinsing members A, there is secured in spaced parallel relation longitudinally upon the upper surface of said base I a pair of guide or runner members` I having undercut inwardly projecting flange portions 8 beneath which the said flange portions 6 of the structure 2 are adapted to slidably engage `in the manner shown in said Figure 2. To prevent relative movement of the handle structure 2 with respect to the base I when attached thereto, as aforesaid, there is secured upon the base I across the forward ends of the guides 'I a stop member or bar 9, and

A further object of the invention is to provide ,a scrubbing or washing device embodying certain novel features in the kconstruction and arrangement of the parts thereof, which is efficient in operation and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and sell.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details f its construction and operation are hereinafter fully set forth and described and shown in the accompanying l;

drawing, in which: y

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of'a scrubber or trowel embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in section transversely through the trowel taken on line 2--2, Figure 3; and

Figure 3 is a partial View in vsection longitudinally of the device taken on line 33, Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a washing device made according to the present invention comprises one or more washing or rinsing members A and a detachable handle member 2. The handle `structure 2 comprises a hand Vgrip portion 3 secured by means of screws or the like 4 to an underlying valve casing portion 5. The opposite sides of the valve casing 5 are formed to provide laterally projecting flange portions 6 at the bottom thereof as shown in Fig-` a latch member or the like I0 is pivoted to the said base I rearwardly of said guide members 'I in such relation with respect thereto that when rotated in one position it will engage the rear edge 0f the handle structure 2 and thereby lock it against movement.

Projecting upwardly from opposite ends of' each guide or runner member 'I are trunnions I I which support a shaft member I2 on which are mounted the end portions I3` of a clamp I4 composed of relatively stiff or rigid wire and having its body portion formed to provide relatively closely spaced courses I5 and I6 extending longitudinally of the base I adjacent a side edge thereof. The outer course I5 of each clamp I4 `is formed to provide therein an upstanding loop portion I'I, and engaging each of these loop portions I'I is one end of a spring I8 which has a portion of its length coiled about the shaft member I2 as indicated at I9 and its other end extending downwardly into engagement with the top surface of the guide or runner member 'Itas ShOWIl. .s

By this arrangement the springs I 8 tend to urge the clamp members I4 downwardly into clamping engagement with the inwardly overlying edge portions 20 of a cloth or other cleaning element 2| thereby securing the latter to the base *I so that the major portion thereof underlies said tion 5 thereof a valve chamber 22 having aninlet port 23 and an outlet port 24, the chamber 22 and port 23 having their axes in alignment while the outlet port 24 extends vertically downward from the chamber 22 in alignment with a port 25 in the base I. The inlet port 23 is of smaller diameter than the valve chamber 22 thus providing at their junction a valve seat 26, and the other end of said valve chamber 22 is closed by a bushing 2'| having a packing gland 27a circumferentially therein to provide a liquid seal about said bushing. The inlet port 23 has connected to its outer end a liquid supply pipe 28.

Slidably mounted in the bushing 2l and axially with the valve chamber 22 is a valve stem -or rod 29 having at its inner end a valve element 30 adapted to close upon the aforesaid valve seat 26 and prevent the passage of liquid from the port 23 into the valve chamber 22. The valve element 3i) is normally held closed upon the valve seat 26 by means of an expansion spring 3| which is coiled about the valve rod or stem 29 and arranged to act between the inner faces of the bushing 21 and valve element 3i), respectively.

As shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the valve stem or rod 29 projects forwardly of the valve casing portion of the handle structure 2 and through a cap or ring member 32, and encircling the stem 29 forwardly of said cap 32 is the annular ring portion 33 of a valve operating lever 34 which is vertically arranged and has its upper portion disposed within a recess 35 formed in the front or forward end of the hand grip portion 3. The annular portion 33 of the lever 34 is retained upon the stem 29 by means of nut and washer assembly or the like 36, and as shown, the said ring portion 33 is of greater thickness than and offset inwardly from the remainder of the lever 34 thus providing suflicient leverage against the face of the cap 32 to effect movement of the valve element 3! from its seat 26 upon actuation of said lever 34 inwardly of its recess 35.

Thus it will be seen that to unseat the valve 30 and permit the iiow of cleaning liquid from the inlet port 23 through the Valve chamber and outlet ports 24, 25 to the cleaning element 2|, it is necessary merely to actuate the valve operating lever 34 inwardly of its recess 35 and this the operator may readily and easily accomplish while continuing to wash and without removing his hand from the hand grip portion 3 of the handle structure.

In operation of the device and assuming that the handle structure 2 is attached to the base plate l of a washing member as aforesaid, a suitable cleaning element 2| is secured to said base by means of the clamps I4 as aforesaid, and the tube or pipe 28 connected to a source of supply of a suitable cleaning liquid. The operator then grasps the hand grip portion 3 of the handle structure 2 with his hand and depresses the operating lever 34 thus unseating the valve SEI and causing the liquid to flow through chamber 22, ports 24 and 25 onto the cleaning member 2|, thereby wetting it. The device is then swept back and forth (or up and down) with the wet cleaning element 2| in contact with the surface to be cleaned and during the cleaning operation the rate of ow of cleaning fluid to the cleaning member may be regulated and controlled at will in accordance with the requirements of the particular cleaning operation by manipulation of the valve lever 34. When the wall or other surface has been cleaned sufficiently, the cleaning member is detached from the handle 2 and another member-A may then be substituted and used for rinsing purposes.

The present invention, therefore, provides a washing device of the type described wherein the flow of cleaning liquid to a cleaning member may be controlled and regulated at will by the user without interrupting or interfering with the cleaning operation. Also, the novel construction and arrangement of the handle structure and the members |4 permits of the quick and easy interchange of such members, and the construction of the base plates of said members and their spring-urged clamps permits of the ready interchange of the rags, cloths andv the like 2|.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit this invention to such disclosure but that changes and modifications may be made and incorporated therein within the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. A washing device of the character described comprising a base having therein a port for the passage of cleaning liquid, a pair of guide members secured upon said base in predetermined spaced relation, a handle structure having portions arranged for interlocking sliding engagement with said guide members, means on said base and engaging the ends of the handle structure for maintaining the latter interlocked with the guide members, said handle structure being provided therein with inlet and outlet ports for passage of said cleaning liquid and said outlet port being in alignment with the port in the base, a valve in said handle structure normally closing said inlet port and preventing the iiow of cleaning liquid, means for operating said valve disposed externally of the handle structure, and means associated with said base for detachably securing thereon a cleaning member.

2. A washing device of the character described comprising a base having therein a port for the passage of cleaning liquid, a pair of handle retaining members secured upon said base in predetermined spaced relaticn, a handle structure having portions arranged for interlocking sliding engagement with said handle retaining members, said handle structure being provided therein with inlet and outlet ports for passage of said cleaning liquid and said outlet port being in alignment with the port in the base, a Valve in said handle structure normally slowing said inlet port and preventing the ow of cleaning liquid, means for operating said valve disposed externally of the handle structure, and spring biased clamp means pivotally mounted on said base for detachably securing thereon a cleaning member.

3. A washing device of the character described comprising a relatively iiat base having therein a port for the passage of cleaning liquid, a cleaning member underlying said base and the port therein with its side edges extending about and over the side edges of the base, a pair of guide members secured upon said base in predetermined spaced relation, a handle structure having portions arranged for interlocking sliding engagement with said guide members, means on the base and engaging the ends of said handle structure for maintaining the handle structure interlocked with the guide members, said handle structure being provided therein with inl-et and outlet ports for passage of said cleaning liquid and said outlet port being in alignment with the port in the base, a valve in said handle structure normally closing said inlet port and preventing the flow of cleaning liquid, and means for operating said valve disposed externally of the handle structure.

4. A washing device ci the character described comprising a relatively fla-t base having therein a port for the passage of cleaning liquid, a cleaning member underlying said base and the port therein with its side edges extending about and over the side edges cfthe base, a pair of guide members secured upon said base in predetermined spaced relation, a handle structure having portions arranged for `interlocking sliding engagement with saidv guide members, means on the base and engaging the ends of said handle structure for maintaining the handle structure interlocked with the guide members, said handle structure being provided therein with inlet and outlet ports for passage of said cleaning liquid and said outlet port being in alignment with the portin the base, a valve in said handle structure normally slowing said inlet port and preventing the flow of cleaning liquid, v:orleans for operating said valve disposed externally of the handle structure, and spring biased clamp means associated with said base for detachably securing said cleanlng member thereto.

5. A detachable handle structure for washing devices of the character described comprising a hand grip portion and a valve casing portion, said valve casing portion having a plane bottom surface terminating at opposite edges thereof in laterally projecting parallel flange portions, and said casing portion being provided therein with a valve chamber having inlet and outlet ports in communication therewith, said outlet port opening in the plane bottom surface of the casing portion, a valve member movable within said Valve chamber and arranged to close upon the opening of the inlet port to the valve chamber, means normally biasing the Valve member into closing relation with said inlet port opening, and means for actuating said valve member away from the inlet port opening comprising a member arranged externally of the handle structure.

6. A detachable handle structure for Washing devices of the character described comprising a hand grip portion and a Valve casing portion, said valve casingrportion having a plane bottom surface terminating at opposite edges thereof in laterally yprojecting parallel flange portions, and said casing portion being provided therein with a valve chamberhaving inlet and outlet ports in communication therewith, Vsaid outlet'port opening in the plane bottom surface of the casing portion, a valve member movable within said valve chamber and arranged to close upon the opening of the inlet port to the valve chamber, means normally biasing the valve member into closing relation with said inlet port opening, and means l for actuating said valve member away from the inlet port opening comprising a member arranged externally of the handle structure and 

